Some years ago, EVA Air operated a 747-400 Combi route to PTY (Panama City), via the US (I think). Largely, it was a political move as Panama and other central American and Caribbean countries are among the few which still recognise Taiwan (as opposed to the PRC). However, leaving the politics aside, it occurred to me that the 772LR might be an ideal vehicle to restart this route.

At 8,435nm, it's just inside the 772LR's range (for comparison, SYD-LHR is 9,188nm), but the key advantage is that PTY, through a codeshare with COPA, could be a very effective hub for flights to Latin America. At present, only Korean Air and JAL fly to South America from Asia (okay, excluding Malaysia's Buenos Aires route) and this one would obviously be faster in many ways, particularly for ASEAN countries and of course, South American countries wishing to increase trade with this region. Clearly, there is a lot of potential for that to increase.

This route was cut years before 9/11.
The only airlines operating in the region are MH and JL.
But there's a strong competition among the American carriers to carry passengers from Latin America to Asia, connecting thru DFW, IAH, ATL, ORD or JFK.
I don't think EVA Air will find a good deal to operate this route. They could possibly invest in more non-stop European flights before going to PTY with the LR, IMHO.

EVA's Panama flights while having a political component was more driven by Evergreen Marines big interest in Panama and the construction of a large port. EVA was able to offer a unique AirSea interchange product.
Passenger load wise the route was nothing short of terrible with many flights operating with less than 100 passengers, of which many were company seamen catching up with ships.

I took the flights round trip from LA to PTY, on a BR frequent flyer award ticket. ( Can't remember what year !! ) Flights both ways were pretty full in Y, and from the way it looked, Economy Deluxe was empty. C and F were upstairs.
The amazing sights were the passengers mix : mostly Chinese with their red color passports and blue Panamanian passports. Don't know how it is now, but at that time, taiwanese passport holders did not need a visa for Panama, they charged a $US10 or $15 fee upon entry at the airport.
A very interesting note about BR : it was the first time I have ever seen this on an airplane : laminated cards in Chinese explaining the DOs and DON'Ts inflight. ( Roughly translated from Chinese : The Good Manners Inflight ).
Foods were mediocre and the FAs stood at their jump seat positions and bowed to the pax facing them after landing.

Quoting Kaitak (Thread starter):Some years ago, EVA Air operated a 747-400 Combi route to PTY (Panama City), via the US (I think). Largely, it was a political move as Panama and other central American and Caribbean countries are among the few which still recognise Taiwan (as opposed to the PRC). However, leaving the politics aside, it occurred to me that the 772LR might be an ideal vehicle to restart this route.

At 8,435nm, it's just inside the 772LR's range (for comparison, SYD-LHR is 9,188nm), but the key advantage is that PTY, through a codeshare with COPA, could be a very effective hub for flights to Latin America. At present, only Korean Air and JAL fly to South America from Asia (okay, excluding Malaysia's Buenos Aires route) and this one would obviously be faster in many ways, particularly for ASEAN countries and of course, South American countries wishing to increase trade with this region. Clearly, there is a lot of potential for that to increase.